Morris Cregger '64 takes reins as Board chairman

New chairman has decades-long devotion to College

As Morris Cregger '64 assumes his new role as chairman of the Roanoke College Board of Trustees, he compares outgoing chair Robert Wortmann'60 to a ship's captain.

"He kept the ship steady, he kept us on course and guided us," he says. "It'll be a much easier job for me [because of] what John Turbyfill and Wortmann have done going forward. I'm in a somewhat enviable position because I'm stepping in while they have Roanoke going in the right direction. It's a good course."

Like Wortmann, Cregger shares a decades-long devotion to the College. "It became my life, and it was my second home," he says. "I believe strongly in a liberal arts education, and we need to continue to get the word out to others about what Roanoke College is."

Cregger says he hopes to continue to increase the endowment and expects fundraising to be a major part of his chairmanship. He is eager to see the Cregger Community Center come to fruition. The center, which will be home to community programming, recreation and athletic events and activities, is planned for construction on the north side of campus once funding becomes available. "I think it'll be important in the retention and recruiting of students. The physical aspects of the College campus and the activities available are what appeal to students."

President Michael Maxey predicts a seamless passing of the leadership baton. "Morris is the right person for the next step," he says. "The magic of Roanoke College is that it always gets better."